Israel withdraws from Gaza's Netzarim corridor amid ceasefire talks
Israel has withdrawn from the key Netzarim corridor in Gaza as part of a fragile ceasefire agreement.
In the coming days, both sides are expected to negotiate the second phase of the ceasefire, which includes the release of all hostages. Meanwhile, Israel strongly condemns the images of the three hostages released yesterday by Hamas, while the Palestinian Islamist group accuses Tel Aviv of delaying the second phase of the ceasefire, thus jeopardizing the agreement.
The Israeli army has completed its withdrawal from the Netzarim corridor, which divides the Gaza Strip into two, allowing free movement between the northern and southern parts of the territory, as part of the fragile ceasefire agreement with Hamas.
"If God wills, we will stay, marry our sons and daughters, have more children, and anger all the Jews and Americans. Where should we go to emigrate? A person who leaves their home will be humiliated. But if we leave our homeland, where should we go?" said a displaced Palestinian.
The withdrawal of Israeli forces and armored vehicles from this corridor took place a day after the fifth exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners. Israel condemned in strong terms the images of the three hostages, visibly emaciated, who were released by Hamas.
"I couldn’t bear to look at them. It was horrific. It’s shocking how some people can treat others like this. I don’t see how it’s possible to deal with these people. They are not human," one Israeli official remarked.
"I’m very happy for them, as all Israelis are. But I’m deeply saddened by their condition. They are extremely weak. They’ve lost a lot of weight and look as if they’ve just come out of a concentration camp," said another.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that the shocking images of the release of the three hostages would not go unanswered. "We have three objectives for the war in Gaza. First - to destroy Hamas's military and governance capabilities; second - to return all hostages; and third - to ensure that Gaza will never again pose a threat to Israel. I am committed to fulfilling all three," Netanyahu said.
The agreement is fragile, and its extension is not guaranteed. Netanyahu is expected to soon convene a cabinet meeting on the second phase of the agreement, which should lead to the release of all hostages and the definitive end of the war, followed by a final phase dedicated to the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
